Flash combustion synthesis and characterisation of nanosized proton conducting yttria-doped barium cerate

摘要

BaCe0.9Y0.1O2.95 (BCY10) was synthesised by a quick and simple combustion method using glycine as fuel and nitrate as oxidant. The mixture was ignited at 600 degrees C, resulting in a fine powder which was characterised by transmission and scanning electron microscopies, and X-ray diffraction. The nano-sized crystallites obtained allow the preparation of fully densified materials with densities up to 98 %. Water uptake was investigated in compressed and sintered samples of BCY10, bulk and total conductivities were determined with impedance spectroscopy in the range 300-600 degrees C. Densified yttria doped barium cerate materials show a bulk conductivity of 2.3 x 10(-2) S cm(-1) and a total conductivity of 1.2 x 10(-2) S cm(-1) at 500 degrees C.